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Man threatened to poison himself after sex verdict

The Associated Press

Posted:
06/26/2013 10:47:17 AM MDT

Updated:
06/26/2013 02:19:25 PM MDT

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—A Colorado Springs man who said he took poison while guilty verdicts were read aloud in a child sex offense case was sent back to jail after doctors determined he suffered no serious harm.

El Paso County authorities said Todd Eckley began chugging from a bottle of ice tea on his way out of the courtroom after the five-day trial, and he reportedly told staffers he would be dead in 10 minutes.

According to the Colorado Springs Gazette ( http://tinyurl.com/nuc699n), Eckley was treated at Memorial Hospital on Monday and taken to the El Paso County jail. Sheriff's spokesman Lt. Jeff Kramer said Wednesday he is not sure if any poison was involved.

The defendant, who hurled epithets at the judge, jury and sheriff's deputies, later claimed the bottle he drank from contained a toxic mixture that can be deadly if ingested in sufficient quantities.

Eckley, a registered sex offender who had served four years in prison after a prior conviction for child sex abuse, was convicted by a jury Monday on all counts in a case that involved repeated rape of a 10-year-old boy. He faces the potential of life in prison.

The defendant was free on $10,000 bond during his trial, which allowed him to bring the bottled drink to the courthouse.

Eckley's attorney, David Foley, did not return a voicemail message seeking comment on behalf of his client.